Planar front-ends with polarization agile IF systems

A low-cost front-end with polarization agility has been developed. The idea is based on IF processing and eliminates the use of front-end attenuators and phase-shifters. An X-band prototype with a dual-polarized microstrip antenna has been designed and tested. The measured isolation between the horizontal and vertical channels is better than 30 dB. Tests show that the polarization agility is achieved with a simple IF processing network.